Significance of MMP and VEGF mRNA expression in invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression of MMP 9 and VEGF genes in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and explore its relation to invasion and metastasis of the tumor. Methods RT PCR was used to detect MMP 9 and VEGF mRNA in surgically extracted specimens from 41 patients with HCC. Results The rate of positive expression of MMP 9 was 70 7%, 48 9% and 41 5% while that of VEGF was 75 6%, 53 7% and 46 3% in tumor tissue, 1 cm adjacent tissue and 5 cm adjacent tissue, respectively. The expression of MMP 9 and VEGF was significantly higher in tumor tissue than in 5 cm adjacent tissue (P0 01). Meanwhile, the expression of MMP 9 and VEGF was significantly higher in tumors with pv emboli or poor encapsulated tumors than in those without pv emboli or well encapsulated tumors (P0 05). The expression of MMP 9 was markedly related to HCC recurrence and AFP positivity. Conclusions The expression of MMP 9 and VEGF is closely correlated to recurrence or metastasis of HCC. MMP 9 expression level can be used as a predictor for prognosis of HCC.